L.A. Mayor Says City Will Pay for Jackson Funeral

Britney and Michael Jackson Grace Birthday Bash
Copyright 2007 Getty Images / Getty Images
Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is speaking out about previous requests for donations and repayment to offset Michael Jackson's funeral.

According to the Associated Press, Villaraigosa commented on talk of the city requesting money from various sources, including the Jackson family, to pay for the funeral, saying, "The idea that we would charge the family for a funeral is nonsensical."

The AP reports that a city councilwoman who was filling in for Villaraigosa set the ball rolling for a Web site that asked the public for donations to offset the city's $1.4 million funeral costs. The web site, which raised $35,000, ceased operating last Friday.

"This is a world-class city, and we provide fire and police protection, period," Villaraigosa said, according to the AP.

Published 7/13/09 by the Insider

Comments (8)

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  • i say people who dont like him hould just leave there comments to themselves!
    ShariK3 7/14/09 Reply
  • Let the guy rest in peace cumon enough with negativitiy as if ur r angels.hahaha
    Anonymous 7/14/09 Reply
  • LA City must bear all the expenses. During the fake molestation charges against him they took all the expenses.Ten why not now?
    Anonymous 7/14/09 Reply
  • Way to go Villaraigosa. It is nice to see a mayor of a major city, in which a large part of the population are celebrities, stand up and basically say they pay taxes and deserve to have the benefit of the city services.
    Anonymous 7/14/09 Reply
  • I'm sorry. The Jackson Family is responsible for Funeral expenses, not the City of LA. If they did not want to pony up, then just a private memorial would suffice. Every person's family pays for the funeral including police escorts. It is ludicrous...
    Anonymous 7/14/09 Reply
  • I am an Australian and I can tell you that everyone I know was expecting they would give him a state funeral. I can not believe that any American would complain about that. It is not as though he were just an average Joe.
    Seems some people would...
    Anonymous 7/13/09 Reply
  • Miss u:(
    NeverLetGo 7/13/09 Reply
  • Sum 1 better pay besides Micheal....
    Anonymous 7/13/09 Reply